Admiralty: Hydrographic Department: Original Artwork

ADM 345

1801-1839

This series contains artwork not created specifically for navigation purposes. It includes a pen-and-ink drawing by William Bligh of the formation of the British Fleet at the Battle of Copenhagen. Drawing of ship's positions in harbour with references, assigned William Bligh, captain of HMS Glatton; annotated in ink 'Copenhagen 2 April 1801 Lord Nelson's Attack.', with annotations of all ships in fleet

Public Record(s)

English

1 engravings

35.2 cm x 76.2 cm

Records not yet available

These records form part of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Historic Archive formerly held at Taunton (as an authorised place of deposit under section 4(3) of the Public Records Act, 1958) and transferred to The National Archives commencing 2005.

This series is accruing

The primary function of the Hydrographic Department, also known as the Hydrographic Office, has always been safety at sea - in particular during military action. However, the survey work it sponsored had additional aims of supporting exploration, colonisation, the monitoring of the slave trade after abolition, and scientific research.

Surveyors and their support staff on board ship, in addition to their survey skills, were also trained to provide navigational information through artwork, diagrams and textual records. Some naval officers recorded extra information which was not required for chart making or Sailing Direction updates, but for reporting purposes on the events and encounters of the voyage.